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The Wacky origins of Names of African Countries

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The Wacky origins of Names of African Countries
Historically places towns and even countries have gained their names from unique reasons. Some from their inhabitants, some from their discoverers and some as if their names still some as if their names appeared spontaneously. Some completely defy explanation. In this series of (several) articles, we shall look at the actual (or at least what people agree) might have been the origin of the names of African countries
1.       ALGERIA
The North African country is named after the capital city Algiers(or perhaps vice versa who knows) or Al-Jazair which means  "The Island" in Arabic. A reference to the small islands that once dotted the bay of the city some hundreds of years ago

2.       ANGOLA
When Portuguese mariner Diego Cao landed at the mouth of the Congo River in 1483, two distinct Kingdoms ruled the region. The Kingdom of the Bakongo reigned in the North. The Quimbundos Kingdom, also known as Ndongo, dominated in the western and central areas. The king of the Quimbundos was called "Ngola". The region, taking its name from the king hence became Angola.


3.       BENIN
 (Formerly Dahomey) named after the ancient Nigerian Kingdom of Benin. The former name Dahomey  ("on the belly of Dan") was an ancient Kingdom located in the south of what is modern-day Benin Republic. The Benin kingdom was once prospering under trade from salt and other goods during the Trans Saharan trade.


4.       BOTSWANA -   Botswana is a name used to collectively describe the Tswana, which is the country's dominant ethnic group. Formerly known as Bechuanaland, Bechauna being an alternative for theTswana


5.       BURKINA FASO
Mossi for "Land of Incorruptible Men" was changed to this from Upper Volta in 1984. Upper Volta reffered to its geographical location in relation to the Volta river.


6.       BURUNDI
Burundi derives its name from Rundi (Kirundi) the languagecommonly spoken throughout Burundi apart from French and Swahili.


7.       CAMEROON
Also known Cameroun in French, The name is derived from Rio de Camarões meaning the River of Prawns a name given to River Wouri by Portuguese Explorers who first visited Cameroon around  the 15th century.

8.       CAPE VERDE

Also known  as (Cabo Verde). This country is named after the westernmost point in mainland Africa. The nearest point on the continent to this Island Nation


9.       CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
It's in Central Africa! Africa is believed to have originated from either the Latin word "aprica" ("Sunny") or Greek "aphrike" ("without cold") and originally applied to North Africa. However as Europe discovered the extent of continental Africa, the term came to match its modern day usage.

10.   CHAD
The name may have originated from the Lake which forms it South-Western border with Nigeria.
However the original meaning or its derivation remains largely unclear

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